Justice.

Daria cradled her cell phone between her ear and shoulder as she tried to finish her sandwich as Jane continued to talk.

“Um oh ya.” Daria mumbled as she forced down the cheap lunchmeat.

“Any chance you’re going to get back up here in time for summer?” Jane asked sadly.

“Ummm.” Daria swallowed and took a quick drink from a cup of water.

“Well.” Jane pressed.

“No. I’m hoping that maybe I can start classes at Lawndale State.” Daria sighed.

“Are you kidding me? This is crazy.” Jane said sounding angry.

“I know but none of the merit scholarships will get near me and Mom and Dad make to much for income scholarships and you know the problems with loans.” Daria replied.

“Damn it, I thought your Dad was going to help out.” Jane retorted.

“He is, that’s how I might be able to get to State.” Daria groaned.

“This isn’t right Daria.” Jane said sadly.

“Nothing has been right for a long time Jane.” Daria replied.

“The big day is tomorrow right?” Jane said nervously.

“Yep, I’m taking tomorrow and Friday off, are you still coming down next weekend after finals?” Daria asked.

“You know it.” Jane promised.

“Look I got to go, my lunch is up in two minutes.” Daria said looking at the wall clock.

“Ok, Amiga, if you need anything it’s yours.” Jane promised before ending the call.

Daria tossed the remains of the sandwich into the trash and headed to her office long enough to grab her reports and then down the hall to her supervisor’s office.

He was on the phone and she waited for him to finish before she handed over the arm load and waited as he looked through.

“I see you finished you reviews and the editing on both books and one of Jim’s.” The balding supervisor said before reaching the last thing in the stack.

“You understand I can’t give this any special treatment and you know what that means.” He said as he lifted the manuscript.

“First novel from an unknown, that means pulp paperback” Daria nodded, trying to keep her stony exterior.

“It’ll go out in our fall printing. Congratulations.” He said with an honest smile.

“Thank you.” Daria said and started to leave the office.

“I wanted you to know that next week, you’ll be starting on the Dobbson series. I need someone who can edit that mess into something resembling a book in less than three months.” He said and she bit her lower lip and replied without turning.

“I’ll be ready and raring to go on Monday.” She said and walked out of the office as he turned to look at another set of reports.

Daria went back to her office and closed the door and fell into her chair as she controlled the urge to shout for pure joy.

:Calm down, it’s not like I’m going to get rich but maybe I can get someplace where I’m not drowning.: She thought happily.





After leaving the publishing house and heading toward her current home she stopped at the grocery store and picked up several items that should get her threw the weekend and headed back to her apartment.

She drove past the Pizza King and had to fight her stomach as it tried to jump up and jerk the wheel into the parking lot of what was still her favorite restaurant. She pulled into the complex and parked the beaten and weary Honda into the parking space directly in front of her door. She climbed the three steps and unlocked her door, juggling bags of food and supplies before ducking inside.

The apartment was barely furnished, with only a couch and a TV on a basic stand in the entire room. The dining room that bordered had a table and chairs but none of them looked like they had ever been used. As she entered the kitchen and started putting away the new items she straightened out her cabinets after hitting the play button on the answering machine.

“Hey Daria I guessed I missed you, I call you on your cell at lunch.” Jane’s voice said.

“Daria this is Stacy Rowe, I hope you don’t mind but I would like to come over on Friday night. If it’s a problem please call me back.” One of her sister’s high school friends said.

“Kiddo, good news, I made the Emersion account so I was able to set aside some more money for the school fund and a little extra to get that car of yours fixed. I should be back in Lawndale next Tuesday. Love you.” Jake Morgendorffer’s voice said from the machine.

“I love you too Daddy.” Daria whispered.

“This is Timothy Wallberg, I wanted to let you know that the judge is wanting written confirmation that you want to continue to appeal in light that it’s pretty pointless now. I’ll email you the form, just print, sign and drop it off at the office sometime next week.” Her lawyer said.

“This is Lawndale High School calling to report that your student was not in school today.” An automated response beeped out.

“Damn it, I’ll get blamed for this somehow.” Daria sighed as she finished putting away the groceries.

“Hey this is Jennifer with Darkside Clothing. We just wanted you to know that the website is doing great and I think you were right that we will need to add a better shopping cart so if you could, contact me over the weekend because we want you to set it up for us.” The blonde’s voice said.

“This is Aunt Amy, I tried to get hold of someone over at your mothers but no one is ever home. I’m getting a little worried, could you call me and fill me in please.” Amy said from the machine.

“Tomorrow.” Daria sighed and grabbed some left over chicken and tossed it into the microwave before heading down the hall past the empty spare bedroom and into her own. She quickly stripped off the business shirt and skirt and changed into a pair of baggy shorts and long t-shirt.

She brought up her email on the computer and printed off the form and quickly scanned it then signed it. :I’ll drop it off on my way out in the morning.: She thought.

She grabbed her chicken and a bottle of water before climbing over her couch and turning on the TV and settling in for another night.






She was up at six and showered, dressed and ready to walk out the door at 7. With a short stop to drop off the appeals form at her lawyer’s office, she was heading onto the interstate.

It took 3 hours for her to reach her destination and despite her planning she arrived almost a half hour early.

She pulled into the nearest spot and got out of the car and moved to the hood, sitting on the side to avoid the heat from the engine.

She stared at the 20 foot chain link fence and tried to calm herself.

She had drifted into her thoughts when she heard a klaxon sound and she looked back to the fence and saw the two orange jumpsuits being escorted down a narrow walkway toward an exit in the fence.

She started toward the gate fighting each step to not break into a run but when it swung open and the two woman were allowed to leave carrying their small property bags, she lost the fight. Both woman had short cropped hair that was a far cry from what she was used to on either of them.

She grabbed the taller of the two girls and squeezed her tightly, as the tears started to come.

“Come here.” She told the second girl who was standing to the side looking embarrassed and pulled her into the hug.

“It’s going to be ok now.” She promised them both.

“Some how I doubt that.” The brunette said wiping at her face but staying with the hug.

“I missed you so much Daria.” The redhead cried.

“The worst is over now.” Daria said and rubbed both of their heads in a teasing fashion.

“Did …?” Sandi Griffin tried and failed to speak.

“I haven’t heard anything from your parents since they sued me to stop the appeal. I’m still fighting.” Daria informed her.

“Why bother now.” Quinn said looking sadly.

“Because it was wrong what happen to you both. And even if we can’t take the jail time away maybe we can get it wiped off your records.” Daria said.

“C’mon.” She said and pointed to her car.

The girls followed her and climbed into the back seat together.

“Do I stink?” Daria said surprised.

“Oh.” Quinn said looking at the passenger seat like she hadn’t seen one before.

“You can take it.” Sandi said pushing on Quinn’s shoulder.

Quinn climbed into the front seat and buckled her seat belt. Daria saw that both girls sat straight in the seats, looking down at their laps.

“Are you hungry?” She asked as the state prison disappeared from their view.

“No ma’am.” Sandi answered and Quinn nodded her agreement.

“Ok, I know you two have been through hell for the last 18 months. I have space at my apartment and I have no problem with you, both of you staying with me till we figure out what to do next. You’re free, no parole, no probation, you are free.” Daria said strongly.

“It just seems like a dream, like I’m about to wake up and the guard will tell me it’s almost time for breakfast.” Quinn whispered softly.

“I thought for sure we would get to the fence and they would laugh and tell us it was all a big joke, and to go back to our cells.” Sandi said tears rolling down her cheek.

“It’s not a dream, and it’s not a joke, wait until you taste my cooking. I’ll bet you will be longing for jail food by morning.” Daria tried to joke.

“I really doubt it.” Quinn said and Daria wanted to grab her head and jerk it up. She pulled over to the side of the road and unbuckled her seat belt.

“What’s wrong?” Sandi said looking scared.

“Nothing, I’m just tired of driving.” Daria said as she got out and walked around to Quinn’s side and opened the door.

“What?” Quinn said looking confused.

“Get over there and drive, you know how too.” Daria said hopefully.

Quinn hesitated then moved over into the driver seat and waited for Daria to buckle up before slowly pulling back onto the road.

“You still got it.” Daria said as her little sister handled the car better than she ever had.

“Thank you for coming to get us.” Sandi said from the back seat.

Daria didn’t answer but she smiled back at the younger girl.

“Daria we didn’t do what they said.” Quinn said, never taking her eyes off the road.

“I know, you both went to the beach, I saw Linda drop Sandi off in front of the house that morning. I saw Jamie and Jeffy pick you up.” Daria assured her.

“They lied didn’t they, my parents, they lied to keep themselves from being tossed into jail.” Sandi said, anger slipping into her voice.

“Yes.” Daria answered.

Part 2

As Quinn drove Sandi started to come out of her shell.

“My brothers.” She floated out.

“Till their 21.” Daria responded quietly.

“Tiffany and Stacy.” Sandi again inquired.

“Stacy is going to Lawndale State and Tiffany I don’t know about, I haven’t heard from her since the trial.” Daria answered.

“So Stacy is still in town.” Sandi sighed but looked better about the news.

“I’ll call her when we get to my house, she’s planning on coming over tomorrow to see you to.” Daria said and the reaction from both the girls lifted her spirits.

The traffic prevented them from getting back to her apartment until almost 3 pm but she didn’t mind and the girls seemed to be relaxing a little more when she directed Quinn to park in her normal spot.

The girls didn’t seem to be ashamed of the jumpsuits as they waited for Daria to unlock her door and wave them in.

“Wow, look at all this stuff.” Quinn said sarcastically. Sandi chuckled and went over and sat down on the couch and ripped open her property bag and pulled out the handful of items. A wallet and some keys, a check for the 49 dollars she had in the wallet when booked and sandals and sunglasses, last was a bikini.

:They had just gotten back from the beach.: Daria thought

“Can we go see Mom and Dad later.” Quinn said looking hopeful.

“Dad’s out of town until Tuesday, that’s why he isn’t here.” Daria said and she knew it was coming.

“How long did you rent the apartment for?” Her sister asked.

“What?” Daria said not sure what Quinn meant.

“The apartment, how long did you rent it for?” Quinn said and Daria understood what she was thinking.

“I live here.” Daria replied.

Quinn spun around and stared into her sister’s eyes before taking a deep breath.
“Tell me everything.” Quinn said, her eyes narrowing.

:She already suspects the truth, I can’t lie here, not to her.: Daria sighed out loud as she thought.

Daria grabbed one of her dining room chairs and carried it into the living room and sat down as her sister and Sandi stared at her from the couch.

“You remember that Mom was running for the state house when you got arrested. Linda CONFESSED to trying to protect you two and then pushed everything off until you were taking the fall.
Mom wanted the case over quickly so it didn’t her in the election and she didn’t seem to care how it went so she stayed out of it. When she found out that I hired a different lawyer to run the appeal, she pulled my tuition and I was kicked out of Raft. All at once I found out that the scholarships were gone and no one would give me a loan. So I came back here and she pretty much told me that if I wanted to damage her career then she would make sure I didn’t have one.
Dad’s been helping me a little, as much as he can without her knowing. I have a job at a local publishing house doing editing. Mom only calls me to threaten me or sends lawyers over to do it.” Daria explained.

“So my Mom and Dad sold me out and took Quinn down too just to keep themselves out of jail.” Sandi cried softly.

“And Mom stood by and let it happen!” Quinn fumed.

“It seems that way.” Daria answered holding out tissues for the girls.

“I thought she was protecting me, to keep her opponent from trying to attack her through me.” Quinn said in disbelief.

“I did too, it was such a joke of a case. Two teenage girls being held accountable for the actions of the brothers of one of them. No one implied you had advance knowledge of the shooting or the gun. Then it got bad, Tom and Linda both cut a deal for probation to testify that you two had been watching Sam and Chris when they left the house. I knew it was a lie because I was home when Linda dropped you off, Sandi, and I heard her tell you to wear sunscreen. Then Mom started road blocking your lawyer. Next thing I know the judge is instructing the jury that there needs to be evidence of your innocence to find you not guilty.” Daria said and took a deep breath.

“You would have had a new trial a year ago if Mom didn’t keep causing delays. She dragged out the appeal process until you two had rotted for a year in prison after sitting in jail for the entire trial.” Daria finished.

“So Mom stopped you from getting us a new trial.” Quinn said looking stunned. Sandi looked a hundred years wiser than the girl who listened to her mother lie on the stand.

“It seems that way. Helen is a politician now and we got dumped along the way.” Daria answered.

“How does no one know about this?” Quinn was starting to get angry.

“They do, they just don’t care.” Sandi said calmly.

“Well when anyone brings up the mistakes in the case Mom answers that justice was served.” Daria said ending in a snarl.

Quinn sat quietly on the couch looking angry until a knock at the apartment door distracted her.

Daria got up and answered the door and sighed at the figure that stood there.

She had long red hair and looked a lot like Quinn had two years ago, except for the glasses that rode her face.

“Hey cousin.” The girl said cheerfully and walked past Daria, dropping three bags on the living room floor.

“Ronnie, what are you doing here?” Daria sighed at the teenager.

“I wanted to come see Quinn now that she’s out of the big house.” Veronica Barksdale said in jest.

“Ronnie, you skipped school today, I don’t need anymore trouble with my mother than I already have.” Daria said as the girl hugged Quinn and Sandi.

“Well that’s one of the reasons I’m here. I think trouble is coming, you might want to start packing.” Ronnie sighed.

Sandi and Quinn both looked at each other and then back at the 17 year old.

“Spill it.” Daria demanded.

“Aunt Helen has gone off the reservation.” Ronnie said and Daria noted the fear in her eyes, well hidden but there all the same.

“So why should we pack?” Daria asked.

“I think she’s planning on getting you tossed out, she wasn’t happy when she couldn’t get you fired from that job this morning.” Ronnie shrugged.

“Why would she do that, hasn’t she done enough?” Quinn said getting up and starting to pace the floor.

“She doesn’t want her convict daughter to show up at her house, what if the press found out.” Ronnie answered harshly.

Daria moved to answer her phone that started ringing.

“Hello.” Daria said carefully.

“Daria, why didn’t you call me?” Amy scolded into the phone.

“I was going to but it’s been a busy day.” Daria laughed.

“Is Veronica ok, I’ve been trying to get hold of someone all day.” Amy asked sounding upset.

“She’s fine, she just showed up on my door step after skipping school yesterday and most likely today.” Daria sighed.

“Did Quinn get out?” Amy sighed, clearly she was relived her daughter was ok.

“Yes and apparently it has upset Helen.” Daria said tightly.

“How bad?” Amy asked.

“She thinks I need to start packing. I think I might need to start getting dinner ready so here is your wayward child.” Daria said and passed the phone to her cousin.

“Hey Mommy.” The teenager said in her most childlike voice.

Daria thought back on when Veronica had arrived in their lives.

“Can I help you?” Daria asked at the door of her parents house.

It was Thanksgiving and Daria was down visiting with her family and it took a few seconds for her to see the uncanny resemblance to Quinn.

“I think the holiday just got good.” Daria smirked and opened the door.

“I’m looking for Amy Barksdale.” The young girl asked, she was maybe 15 or 16 and wore cheap horned rim glasses that looked just like the ones Daria favored herself.

“She’s in the kitchen.” Daria smiled and opened the door.

“Could you ask her to come outside?” The girl said nervously.

“I won’t have my own flesh and blood standing out in the cold.” Daria said evilly and pulled the girl into the house.

Quinn came down the stairs and saw Veronica and went ballistic at once.
“Damn it Daddy, you couldn’t keep it in your pants could you!” She screamed as she stomped into the kitchen.

“Um, what just happened?” Ronnie asked, confused.

“She thinks she just got a new sister, not a cousin.” Daria laughed and pulled her toward the kitchen.

“So you’re ok with this.” Ronnie stuttered as she was dragged.

“I’m not the one to worry about.” Daria admitted.

Helen and Amy both came out of the kitchen as Quinn continued to berate Jake at the top of her voice.

Helen took one look at the girl and went red and Daria spoke quickly.

“Amy, is there something you would like to tell us?” Daria said.

“It’s not possible!” Her Aunt exclaimed.

“I ran away from the group home, I wanted to meet you. My name’s Veronica, I took your last name.” Ronnie said with a nervous smile.

“Group home, they said you went to a family.” Amy said stunning her sister and surprising Daria.

“They died in a car wreak, at least according to my file they did. It happened when I was 3, it was an open adoption so I found out about you when I stole my file. I decided to see if maybe you wanted to meet me.” Veronica said and Daria felt her heart break for the girl.

Amy nodded and took four steps and hugged her.


A loud knocking on the door snapped her to the present and she almost ran to answer it.

Her landlord was there looking grim.

The conversion was short and Daria closed the door and looked at the eviction notice. The woman seemed honestly ashamed of her actions but that didn’t help her find a new place to live in three days.

The paper said the apartment had been condemned and had to be vacated allowing her only the weekend to move, with it she got a check for two months rent and her security deposit.

:I’ve had enough of this.: Daria growled in her mind and picked up her cell phone and dialed a number.

“I need that favor.” Daria started and began explaining.

Part Three

Quinn kicked open the back door of the Lane house and carried the box inside, Sandi and Veronica followed her as Daria was calling a locksmith to come fix the locks.

They set the boxes with everything else that had been brought from Daria’s apartment in the handful of hours since the eviction notice was delivered.

A quick call to Jane had gotten them use of the house and Daria had decided not to wait until the weekend to move.

“Is it going to be ok to change the locks on somebody else’s house?” Sandi asked concerned, perhaps about getting a breaking and entering charge and going back to jail.

“Jane faxed me permission to use the house and Trent and the band are on tour so it’s all ours unless some of the Lane’s wander in but that doesn’t happen much since Jane graduated and moved out.” Daria shrugged.

“This place isn’t that bad with Trent’s band not living here.” Quinn said nicely.

“It’s better than the last place we slept.” Sandi said sounding almost perky.

“My Mom sent the temporary custody papers right.” Ronnie said as she set down the last box and blocked the door shut.

“Yes and once we set up my PC I can print them all up. Helen knows that Jane is out of town so maybe she won’t think to look here. The car is hidden in the garage so I think it’s going to be ok.” Daria sighed.

“You lost your college education, your apartment, and all because of me.” Quinn started and Daria moved against her and placed her hand firmly over Quinn’s mouth.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, you should have never been charged, you should have never been arrested, never brought to trial, never convicted, never left to rot. If Mom had got a decent lawyer, …” Daria started but her face darkened.

“She hired a good lawyer but to represent her interest in the trial, not Quinn’s.” Ronnie said forcefully.

Quinn leaned against her sister as the weight of the last two years fell on her at once. Her mother hadn’t wanted her to get off, people would think she used her influences to get Quinn off, it could destroy her career.

“I’m going to kill her.” Quinn said and there was no question to her voice.

“I’ll help you with yours if you help me with mine.” Sandi said coldly and Daria knew they weren’t joking at all.

“Before we start killing anyone, let’s talk about making them really suffer.” Daria said and laid out a few ideas.




Jennifer Gray and Stacy Rowe parked down the block and carried several bags of clothing around to the back of the house on Howard Lane and knocked gently on the back door and waited.

Both had become adjusted to the teenage girl and had long gotten past the shock factor of her close appearance to Quinn but seeing her dressed in clothes they remembered from high school was almost too much.

“We’re here.” Stacy stated the obvious.

“We’ve been waiting forever.” The girl said rudely and Jennifer swatted her on the back of the head.

“Ouch.” The girl whined but led them to the basement where a meeting was being held.

They joined the small group and listened as Daria continued to justify the actions she was asking them all to take.

“Look, this isn’t about her cutting me off, it’s about her letting two girls get railroaded into jail.” Daria was telling the editor of the local newspaper.

“You don’t have any proof of that.” The man stated firmly.

“Then let her defend her actions or lack there of. You’ve seen the facts of the case, why didn’t the lawyer challenge any of the motions, I could have defended them better. Why has she fought tooth and nail to stop the appeals. Quinn and Sandi could have had a new trial at least 6 months ago but she filed to stop the appeals process. Everyone involved in the entire process is covered in so much dirt, you can’t even see them anymore.” Daria said determinedly.

“Fine, I’ll run the story but I have to run it completely unbiased. She’s sued everyone who has touched anything out of her personal life.” The man said and quickly made his exit.



Daria was almost glowing with the anger she was giving off, Jennifer handed the bags of clothes to Sandi and Quinn who were sitting listening as Daria made plans with some shady looking character that spoke with a British accent. He was covered in tattoos and piercings and looked mostly drunk.

“Hi, Sandi, Quinn.” Stacy said approaching her two friends.

“Hi.” They both mumbled, unable to look at their old friends.

“How are you doing?” Stacy asked.

“Ok.” Both answered weakly.

“I am talking to you, if you can’t pay attention maybe I should knock you on you collective asses.” Stacy said suddenly.

Both Sandi and Quinn almost jumped into their chairs, looking alert and shocked.

“Now, let’s start over. How are you?” Stacy smiled but her voice was stern.

“Trying to control the urge to hunt my mother down and bury her alive in the nearest trash dump.” Quinn said.

“That’s just cruel, I just want to blow mine’s face off.” Sandi countered.

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear that kind of repeat offender talk again. Go take a shower and soak your hot heads.” Stacy yelled at the both of them.

Both the girls panicked and dashed up the stairs at a fast run.

Daria stopped talking and walked over to Stacy and stared at her.

“What in hell was that?” Daria demanded.

“Here it’s in the book.” Stacy said and pulled a paperback from her purse and handed it to Daria.

“Keeping your felon out of jail.” Daria read and wanted to laugh.

“How can I help, besides that?” Stacy pushed firmly.

“You wouldn’t be rich would you?” Daria joked then got a gleam in her eyes.

“Oh no.” Stacy grinned.

“I think I have something for you to do.” Daria laughed and gave her a mission.



Daria sat in Wind’s room, she let Sandi and Quinn take Penny’s old room and after making sure everything was closed up tight, she turned in for the night.

Maybe an hour later she felt someone crawl into bed with her, at first she thought that maybe it was just a dream but the warm skin moving against her was to real to be a dream.

Daria opened her eyes and stared into the face of Sandi Griffin.

“Can I help you?” Daria said, her tension increasing in spades when she realized that her companion was undressed.

“I think that maybe I can help you.” Sandi said, her voice throaty and deep.

“Um what did you have in mind?” Daria said as she tried to slide out from under Sandi.

“I thought I could make you feel good.” Sandi said and her hand moved up Daria’s legs, brushing her thigh gently.

“I’m not that way.” Daria gasped and reached down and pulled Sandi’s hand away from her bare skin.

“Neither am I, or Quinn if you’re wondering but sometimes it’s nice to feel good and forget for a while.” Sandi purred laying on top of her, resting her head on Daria’s stomach.

“I don’t think it’s a very good idea.” Daria said, her voice starting to shake.

“I don’t have any place to go; I’m not your sister. I can make it worthwhile to keep me around.” Sandi said and brushed her hand along the outside of Daria’s thigh.

“Please don’t.” Daria said and she quickly slid out from under Sandi and stood up next to the bed.

“Why not?” Sandi said, her gaze telling.

“Because I don’t want to be with someone who’s doing it for the wrong reason.” Daria said frustrated.

“Is there a reason to not do it with someone who wants to enjoy time with you.” Sandi said not covering her nudity.

“Stop making me think about it, stop. Ok, I’m not going to kick you out because you don’t put out.” Daria almost begged.

“I called my Dad earlier, he talked to me.” Sandi said as she continued to stretch out on the bed.

“What happened?” Daria asked taking a step closer to the bed.

“He told me the truth, I thought he would lie.” Sandi choked.

“What did he say? Daria stopped when her legs hit the side of the bed.

“That the police were coming after him and mom and mom pushed them after me and Quinn to get away with it. The D.A offered to not go after Sam and Chris as adults if they helped them get me. He said it was an easy choice.” Sandi laughed.

Daria climbed back onto the bed and laid next to Sandi.
“I’m so sorry.” Daria whispered as she moved against Sandi.

“You’ll make them pay, won’t you?” Sandi said turning on her side facing Daria.

“Yes but no more trying to seduce me.” Daria said firmly.

“Fine.” Sandi smiled and turned onto her other side, pushing her backside against Daria.

:I’m afraid it might work.: Daria thought honestly.





Stacy followed Helen Morgendorffer from her house to the building that housed her office when she was in town. It took three days to mark out the pattern and chart the different stops. The route home was always the same, the same path, the same stops.
By Friday she had all the information that Daria needed.




Jake Morgendorffer faced his daughters after his return home and he offered no excuse for his complete and utter failure, as their father and as a man. He only begged for another chance to be both.




All hell broke loose when the Lawndale Herald ran the story and it was quickly picked up by several different news stations.


Helen Morgendorffer drove home enraged at the flood of calls that had been hitting her office all day. She had her people issue no comments but still the calls came in.
She pulled into the driveway of her home and slammed the SUV door hard enough to crack the glass.

:I’ll find those brats and squash them, the lousy ungrateful little .: Helen thought.

“Hello Mother.” A voice said behind her, stepping out from around the corner of the house.

“Quinn.” Helen gasped.

It was her youngest, looking just like she did, the day she left for the beach.

“Mother is the name of god, in the eyes of a child.” Quinn said and turned and walked around the corner, heading into the back yard.

Helen followed, just a few steps behind but she lost sight of her in the back yard.

“Quinn.” Helen called out.

“You sent me to jail.” Quinn’s voice returned to her.

“I did no such thing, if this is what Daria has been telling you..” Helen said getting angry.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, you let Linda lie, you knew she was lying but you still let them get away with it.” Quinn said and she stepped out from the shadows.

Not the young Quinn but an older, more sad looking Quinn. Her long hair was gone, cut short and the bouncy step and teen clothing replaced with jeans and a loose t-shirt.

“Quinn.” Helen started only to be cut short.

“Why?” Quinn demanded.

“Because if I interfered in the case then people would assume you got away with it, because of me. It would have ruined my career.” Helen answered.

“Got away with it, shouldn’t I have to do something wrong first.” Quinn mocked her mother.

“Linda and Tom are the ones that lied.” Helen said calmly.

“At least they betray their daughter for a reason, for their sons. You betrayed me and Daria and you did it for a career.” Quinn said coldly.

“I didn’t betray anyone.” Helen said stepping forward.

“What else do you call it.” Quinn laughed.

“I told you to take the deal, reckless endangerment, time served. You would have never spent another day in jail, no prison and this would have all been over.” Helen yelled at her daughter.

“But I didn’t do anything. I was innocent and you knew it. Did you really think I would admit to a lie to help your career?” Quinn said surprised.

“Of course she does. That’s all we’re good for.” Daria said stepping out from the darkness that shrouded the back yard.

“You.” Helen almost snarled.

“Hello Helen.” Daria smirked.

“You little brat, it just wasn’t good enough for you. But Mom, Quinn didn’t do anything. I can’t convince her to take a deal when there is no way that any court of law would find her guilty.” Helen spat at her oldest daughter.

“No honest one at least.” Daria replied.

“She was convicted.” Helen almost laughed.

“Only because you tied the lawyer’s hands, I don’t think he’s going to keep lying now that the truth is going to come out. He might have been willing to risk his license but I doubt he wants to go to jail.” Daria chuckled.

“What?” Helen’s eyes narrowed.

“Here” Daria said and tossed an envelope over to her mother.

“What’s this?” Helen said as she pulled out several court documents.

“Quinn and Sandi have been granted an appeal. They get a new trial. Are you going to bribe this judge too?” Daria asked so sweetly.

“You were granted an appeal on the grounds that the lawyer threw the case at my request.” Helen said reading the line.

“Like I said he doesn’t want to go to jail.” Daria laughed.

“I’ll fight this; you’re accusing me of a crime.” Helen started.

“You ordered him to make sure Quinn got convicted so the trial would be over fast, that would be a crime.” Daria replied.

“He also told us all about the deal with the judge and the D.A. How much did Linda’s boss donate to your campaign?” Quinn asked.

“You don’t understand a thing about how the real world is.” Helen said throwing down the papers.

“You might want to keep those, it also covers the motion to dismiss the case and the civil lawsuit against you, and Sandi’s parents.” Daria said pointing to the ground.

“You’ll never see a dime.” Helen glared at her oldest.

“She’s not suing you, I am, and Sandi.” Quinn answered.

“Go to hell you spoiled brat. Buy me this shirt; I need new shoes for my date. You also were a pain in the ass.” Helen said cruelly.

“Why did you do it, do you hate us that much?” Quinn asked.

“I was losing points in the polls, every time the papers ran the story. I needed it to go away, if you would have taken the deal then it would have gone away. Instead you went to jail and I got to show that I was tough on crime and get some sympathy votes.” Helen answered honestly.

“So you admit what you did and you’re not even a little sorry.” Quinn asked.

“Sorry that I didn’t let them send you and her up for five years instead of one. Sorry I didn’t tell Miss. To Smart for her own god to pay for her own college right off the bat. I thought it was almost poetic that you got to spend a year without a crowd of guys to carry out your every whim.” Helen sneered.

“You knew the charges were bogus.” Daria asked.

“Of course.” Helen responded.

“You had the lawyer throw the case.” Daria pushed.

“Yes.” Helen chuckled.

“You bribed the judge to speed up the trial.” Daria continued.

“A little sex can do wonders.” Helen smirked.

“You had Daria kicked out of school and prevented her from getting the grants or scholarships or even loans to go back.” Quinn added.

“That was almost funny. Mom the school said my tuition is due, is something wrong.” Helen laughed.

“Just because I kept fighting to get Quinn a fair trial.” Daria said shaking her head.

“You wouldn’t let it go away. It was one year and it’s done now, you might get a new trial and maybe she’ll be found innocent and her record will get cleared but she’ll never forget spending all that time in jail and then prison.” Helen poked at them

“6 months in jail while the trial went on and then a year in prison, just so you could get elected.” Quinn said sadly.

“Yes.” Helen stated and Daria understood just how little they meant to her.

“I’m taking it all away from you.” Daria said and waved a hand and another shadow stepped forward.

Jane came up last carrying a video camera and was clearly recording everything.

Sandi moved to stand next to Quinn and Stacy hovered close by.

“I can get that tape squashed in seconds.” Helen boasted.

“I’m sure you can but I told you, I’m taking it all away from you.” Daria said coldly and another group moved forward.

It was a news crew and they were recording as well.

“Their broadcasting live.” Daria said and tossed another envelope at her mother.

Helen just let it bounce off her chest.

“Every shady deal, you didn’t even try to hide the money. The right people were able to get me everything on you. The affair with your old boss that’s still going on to the midnight meetings with union leaders to stage a strike just in time for you to save the day around reelection time.. Everything is coming out in the wash.” Daria said and walked toward her sister and each person in turn walked out of the backyard and away from the scene.

“That was cold.” Ronnie said smiling. “I loved it.”

“Dad won’t have much trouble getting a divorce now.” Quinn said sadly.

“I think I’m going to get an A for my video drama course.” Jane joked.

“She deserved worse.” Daria said and the group walked down the street toward Howard Drive.

“Daria, do you know why my key doesn’t work on the front door anymore?” Jane asked.